NCIMB culture collection deposits & services reflect growing microbiome research activity

NCIMB’s NGS services manager Dr Daniel Swan examines how developments in microbiome and probiotics research have been reflected in activity at NCIMB, from additions to their culture collection to provision of whole genome sequencing and metagenomics services. NCIMB Ltd is custodian of the UK’s National Collection of Industrial, Food and Marine Bacteria. That might sound like an eclectic mix, but over the past 70 years the content of the collection has become increasingly diverse, and it now includes bacteria for a huge range of ecological niches. The collection has always …

NCIMB launches probiotics and microbial additive testing service

NCIMB has launched a new package of services to support manufacturers of probiotic products and feed additives in assessing the suitability of candidate strains and complying with European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) FEEDAP guidelines. FEEDAP is the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed. Our package includes a range of tests and analyses that provide valuable information about the functional characteristics of strains. Individual packages can be tailored to specific requirements. For example, strains used in probiotic products must survive the acidic gastric environment if they …